State Police to release Terronez case documents

State Police to release Terronez case documents

ROCK ISLAND, Ill.—Illinois State Police say the guilty plea and sentencing of former State’s Attorney Jeff Terronez led them to close their investigation and open access to documents requested by News 8.

Terronez pleaded guilty to providing alcohol to a minor. He was sentenced April 26, 2011. He resigned, forfeited his pension and will serve probation as part of the conditions of his plea agreement.

On April 29, 2011 an attorney representing the Illinois State Police issued a statement agreeing to release the case file we requested in December 2010 under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

The FOIA allows for some information to be withheld. The attorney for the State Police listed the items they plan to withhold or redact before the file is released. The information they wish to withhold includes documents under seal with the court including returns on five search warrants connected to the case. They also wish to withhold or redact any information about people not directly connected to the case.

Under the FOIA, State Police also want to withhold or redact private information which might disclose or compromise the identity of people connected to the case such as private addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, driver’s license information and other identifying numbers.

They also plan to withhold the names and personal identifying information of the original complainant, the alleged victim and witnesses. Witness statements concerning the character of the victim, suspect or other witnesses will also be withheld.

The attorney statement indicates they will redact the listed information and then provide the documents we’ve requested “as expeditiously as possible”.